thumbnail

Attenuation of stormwater contaminants from highway runoff within unsaturated limestone, Dade County, Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4083
Prepared in cooperation with the Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844083

Links

Abstract

Infiltration of stormwater in heavily urbanized parts of Dade County, Florida, is a prime source of recharge to the unconfined Biscayne aquifer, the sole source of drinking water for southeast Florida. Ponded stormwater at the test site contained greater concentrations of lead, zinc, manganese, nitrogen (except nitrate), and phosphorus than the water which percolated through the unsaturated limestone. Attenuation of some stormwater contaminants in the surface soils and limestone is indicated at the test site adjacent to a busy throughfare. Lead concentrations of 610 micrograms per kilogram and zinc concentrations of 91 micrograms per kilogram were found in the thin surface soils, nearly 20 times more than the concentrations of these metals at greater depth. In contrast, soil and rock sample at a control site remote from heavy traffic contained low concentrations of metals and showed little variation in concentration with depth. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Waller, B.G., Klein, H., Lefkoff, L.J., 1984, Attenuation of stormwater contaminants from highway runoff within unsaturated limestone, Dade County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4083, iv, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844083.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Attenuation of stormwater contaminants from highway runoff within unsaturated limestone, Dade County, Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4083
DOI 10.3133/wri844083
Year Published 1984
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
Description iv, 12 p.
Country United States
State Florida
County Dade County
Additional publication details